Science: Low IQs Linked To Conservative Beliefs, Such As Racism And Fascism

Now you'd think the guys announcing this decision must be pretty smart. I mean, if you're going to lay down this kind of smack, you'd better be buttoned-up and squared away as far as your own brainpower.

Right?

Except while reading this I came across this--

Nonetheless, there is reason to believe that strict right-wing ideology might appeal to those who have trouble grasping the complexity of the world.

Obviously any ideology is an attempt to deal with complexity and unknowns -- ideology provides a rough guess or rule of thumb in new situations.

And obviously the leftwing has all sorts of simplistic bromides precisely like this.

Did they test to see how leftwing dummies might cling to simplistic pablum?

Nope!

But there are other possible explanations that fit the data. For example, Nosek said, a study of left-wing liberals with stereotypically naïve views like "every kid is a genius in his or her own way," might find that people who hold these attitudes are also less bright. In other words, it might not be a particular ideology that is linked to stupidity, but extremist views in general.

"My speculation is that it's not as simple as their model presents it," Nosek said. "I think that lower cognitive capacity can lead to multiple simple ways to represent the world, and one of those can be embodied in a right-wing ideology where 'People I don't know are threats' and 'The world is a dangerous place'. ... Another simple way would be to just assume everybody is wonderful."

Speculation.

Let's not bother testing that. Let's get out the door with the conclusion that rightwingers are dummies.

Oh, and, by the way: Let's define "conservative beliefs" as "racism" and "support for near-fascism."

Because you know all those freedom loving liberals would never, ever support a government that intrudes into people's personal choices and dictates the legally-permissible choices.